Taiwan Grooves

Join in on today's episode, where I will be interviewing the band Suonno d’Ajere, who brings back classical Neapolitan songs. Three passionate musicians, born in the city of Naples, have come together to prove once and for all that the tradition of Neapolitan song writing is still as moving and relevant as it has ever been.

A trio that breathes together from the slightest to the fullest whisper. A voice, that of Irene Scarpato, frontwoman of the group, a vocal and scenic body that releases a variety of timbres as bewitching as essential. A guitar, played in many different styles:from the “posteggia”‘s ripped to the Van Wood’s stoppato. A mandolin and a mandoloncello, always on the move, costantly looking for a sensual touch, as virtuosic as it is expressive, An ensemble made of three instruments dialoguing and humoring each other, running in countertempo through a sought-after repertoire of genres: from serenata to “tear-jerking” song,from macchietta to unpublished composition.

To find out more about the band and their music, please visit:

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YouTube Music

Today we will continue talking jazz with Vincent Hsu, who will enlighten us about his current projects, how tough it is to make it as a composer, how has jazz evolved and how it is to play bass.

Vincent Hsu is an award-winning bassist and composer who fuses jazz and Afro-Cuban music with his Taiwanese roots. Born in Changhua, Taiwan, and raised in Kaohsiung, he launched his musical career in New York City, where he lived for eight years. His debut album, Homeland, won “Best Jazz Album” at the 2014 Golden Indie Music Awards and was nominated for three Golden Melody Awards in 2015: Best Album, Best Composer, and Best Producer (Instrumental).

His second album, Lullaby for the Youth, with Harold Danko on piano and Billy Drummond on drums, was also nominated for three Golden Indie Music Awards in 2017. In 2018, Hsu’s latest album In Our Blood featuring Victor Mendoza, with Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band, won “Best Jazz Single of the Year” with Hsu’s composition “Dreamer's Blues” at the 2018 Golden Indie Music Awards. It was also honored with the Global Music Awards' “Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement” in 2019. In 2020, Hsu’s composition “The Era” was selected by International Songwriting Competition (ISC) as a finalist in the Jazz category.

To know more about Vincent, please visit the following links:

https://www.vincenthsujazz.com/

Spotify

Latin Jazz Net

This episode will feature bassist Vincent Hsu, who will share his journey of starting to play bass relatively late, New York jazz education and his work after returning to Taiwan.

Vincent Hsu is an award-winning bassist and composer who fuses jazz and Afro-Cuban music with his Taiwanese roots. Born in Changhua, Taiwan, and raised in Kaohsiung, he launched his musical career in New York City, where he lived for eight years. His debut album, Homeland, won “Best Jazz Album” at the 2014 Golden Indie Music Awards and was nominated for three Golden Melody Awards in 2015: Best Album, Best Composer, and Best Producer (Instrumental). His second album, Lullaby for the Youth, with Harold Danko on piano and Billy Drummond on drums, was also nominated for three Golden Indie Music Awards in 2017. In 2018, Hsu’s latest album In Our Blood featuring Victor Mendoza, with Soy La Ley Afro-Cuban Jazz Band, won “Best Jazz Single of the Year” with Hsu’s composition “Dreamer's Blues” at the 2018 Golden Indie Music Awards. It was also honored with the Global Music Awards' “Silver Medal for Outstanding Achievement” in 2019. In 2020, Hsu’s composition “The Era” was selected by International Songwriting Competition (ISC) as a finalist in the Jazz category.

To know more about Vincent, please visit the following links:

https://www.vincenthsujazz.com/

Spotify

Latin Jazz Net

Today we will continue with our two part interview with Alec Orachi. We will talk about adapting his performance to different places, favorite memory and fan interactions.

Alec Orachi, the dynamic Thai artist, is a true storyteller and an authentic voice of our generation. His mission is clear: to invite everyone, regardless of age or race,to join the musical journey he's crafting. Alec describes himself as a living cartoon character, radiating vibrant colors and an easy-to-love persona. Singing in both Thai and English, his performances are akin to captivating theater productions. Each stage becomes a portal into Alec Orachi's extraordinary journey where he vividly paints the ups and downs of his life story. leaving the audience with lingering questions and profound thoughts.

For more information about his music, please visit:

YouTube

IG

Spotify

In today's episode, I will interview an energetic Thai artist, who visited Taiwan to perform at a festival and was kind enough to stop by Rti!

Alec Orachi, the dynamic Thai artist, is a true storyteller and an authentic voice of our generation. His mission is clear: to invite everyone, regardless of age or race,to join the musical journey he's crafting. Alec describes himself as a living cartoon character, radiating vibrant colors and an easy-to-love persona. Singing in both Thai and English, his performances are akin to captivating theater productions. Each stage becomes a portal into Alec Orachi's extraordinary journey where he vividly paints the ups and downs of his life story. leaving the audience with lingering questions and profound thoughts.

For more information about his music, please visit:

YouTube

IG

Spotify

In today's episode we will continue the interview with a jazz musician, Minyen! He will share his view on Taiwan's music scene and what 'practicing' means to him.

Hsieh Minyen (謝明諺) is a highly regarded, award-winning Taiwanese saxophonist. The Taipei native, born in 1981, started to perform professionally at the age of 19, and received his Master degree from the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Brussels on 2010. His strong improvisation skills and rich tone has made him a coveted player in several genres varying from: jazz, rock, folk, hip-hop, electronic to avant-garde. He won the Taichung Saxophone Competition in 2012, 2 times Golden Melody Awards (Grammy Awards in Chinese speaking world) and 5 times Golden Indie Music Award with His solo& co-leading albums. Besides Taiwan, he also tour frequently in Japan, Hong Kong, South-East Asia and west Europe.

To know more about Minyen and his music, please visit the following link:

Linktree

In today's episode, I will interview Hsieh Minyen, a talented saxophonist, who will share his journey of picking up the saxophone and his experiences studying music at a university in Europe.

Hsieh Minyen (謝明諺) is a highly regarded, award-winning Taiwanese saxophonist. The Taipei native, born in 1981, started to perform professionally at the age of 19, and received his Master degree from the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Brussels on 2010. His strong improvisation skills and rich tone has made him a coveted player in several genres varying from: jazz, rock, folk, hip-hop, electronic to avant-garde. He won the Taichung Saxophone Competition in 2012, 2 times Golden Melody Awards (Grammy Awards in Chinese speaking world) and 5 times Golden Indie Music Award with His solo& co-leading albums. Besides Taiwan, he also tour frequently in Japan, Hong Kong, South-East Asia and west Europe.

To know more about Minyen and his music, please visit the following link:

Linktree

Today we will continue in interviewing the unique combo of Mans on handpan and Addi on bass, who will discuss their upcoming work, playing with others and words of advice.

Mans (阿曼) is a professional Handpan player, percussionist, restaurateur, event coordinator, and hospitality services consultant. He is dedicated to promoting handpan culture in Taiwan, establishing dedicated performance spaces for handpan musicians, curating handpan concerts, and organizing annual gatherings. His debut Handpan Ensemble Album ‘Handemic’ was released in 2024.

Addi (安晨), currently a host at ICRT, is a musician from the U.S. and a professional drama teacher. With over 20 years of experience in bass and guitar, he has deep expertise. He frequently collaborates with Mans for handpan performances, arrangements, recordings, and compositions, showcasing the diversity of handpan music.

To know more about Mand and Addy and their music, please visit:

Official website

Spotify

IG

Join today's episode where I interview two musicians, creating an unusual combo. Mans and Addi will share their origins, backgrounds, and how the recent album 'Handemic' came into existence.

Mans (阿曼) is a professional Handpan player, percussionist, restaurateur, event coordinator, and hospitality services consultant. He is dedicated to promoting handpan culture in Taiwan, establishing dedicated performance spaces for handpan musicians, curating handpan concerts, and organizing annual gatherings. His debut Handpan Ensemble Album ‘Handemic’ was released in 2024.

Addi (安晨), currently a host at ICRT, is a musician from the U.S. and a professional drama teacher. With over 20 years of experience in bass and guitar, he has deep expertise. He frequently collaborates with Mans for handpan performances, arrangements, recordings, and compositions, showcasing the diversity of handpan music.

To know more about Mand and Addy and their music, please visit:

Official website

Spotify

IG

Join in on today's episode where we wrap up our interview with the talented artist DEW. We will discuss favorite and not so favorite part of being a musician, Taiwanese music industry and some advice for starting musicians. DEW is a breath of fresh air in the Asian music scene. Writing and producing his own music, DEW’s songs are like a chill breeze, swimming through genres of Bedroom Pop, R&B, and lo-fi. After releasing two EPs last year “NIGHTFALL” & “DAYLIGHT,” DEW also completed sold out shows in Taichung and Taipei, as well as performing at music festivals around Taiwan. Please fasten your seat belts as we continue the journey with new songs coming along the way.

To find more information about this artist, please visit:

YouTube

Spotify

IG